HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: The Princeton Makes artist cooperative, which features 37 artists from the greater Princeton area, will host a second anniversary celebration on September 16 and 17 at its studio space in the Princeton Shopping Center.

Princeton Makes, the artist cooperative in the Princeton Shopping Center, will mark its two-year anniversary throughout the day on Saturday, September 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. with an Art Celebration open to the public, and their monthly Java Jam on Sunday, September 17 at 4 p.m., featuring The Woe Nellies.

Since its inception last year, the co-op has expanded from 24 to 34 artists from the greater Princeton area, who work across a range of artistic genres, including painting, drawing, stained glass, sculpture, textiles, greeting cards, and jewelry. Sixteen artists now work from studios in the co-op, and the public is encouraged to come and see them at work and purchase any of the hand-made items from the market.

“Princeton Makes has become a real community of artists bringing different cultures and art styles under one roof,” said Spriha Gupta, a Princeton Makes artist. “It encourages the principle of working together, learning from each other, and just enjoying being part of the same group. The interaction with customers as they stop in and visit the studios while artists are working is an enriching feeling for both the local artists and the people.”

The Saturday anniversary celebration will include a variety of activities for adults and children alike. In addition to artists at work in their studios, some artists will provide hands-on art activities and others will do art demonstrations in the studios. There will be light refreshments served during the day.

On Sunday, the Java Jam will feature The Woe Nellies, a five woman ukulele band that features El Hirvonen, a Princeton Makes co-op member. The Woe Nellies return to play their mix of folk, country and jazzy tunes on ukuleles. The five women sing in harmony as they strum, with other instruments sometimes substituting in such as bass, banjolele, and clarinet.

For more information, visit princetonmakes.com.